Spatial Light Modulator Phase Shift Compensation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing optical waveform shaping devices suffer from low resolution and beam expansion due to the use of multiple substrates, which limits their ability to perform high-resolution phase shift compensation and ultrafast optical clock generation.
Innovation Solution
The device employs a spatial light modulator with a phase modulation part and an intensity modulation part sharing a common glass substrate, combined with a polarization separation system and a 2-axis polarization-preserving fiber, to achieve high-resolution waveform shaping and phase shift compensation, while minimizing beam expansion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If two separate modulators with glass substrates are used for phase modulation and intensity modulation, then both modulation functions are achieved, but the beam diameter expands and resolution decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines the phase modulation part and intensity modulation part into a single spatial light modulator with a common glass substrate. This merging eliminates the need for two separate modulators, thereby preventing beam diameter expansion and maintaining high resolution while achieving both modulation functions simultaneously.
Solution Approach 2:
The spatial light modulator is designed to perform multiple functions (phase modulation and intensity modulation) within a single device structure. By making the modulator universal, it can handle both modulation tasks without requiring separate components, thus avoiding the resolution degradation caused by multiple substrates.
2Adaptability or versatility
If multiple glass substrates are used in the modulation system, then phase modulation and intensity modulation can be performed separately, but the device size increases and miniaturization is hindered
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the phase modulation and intensity modulation functions into a single integrated spatial light modulator, reducing the number of glass substrates from two to one. This consolidation directly reduces device volume and enables miniaturization while preserving full modulation capability.
3Manufacturing precision
If a single spatial light modulator with phase and intensity modulation parts is used, then beam diameter is minimized and resolution is improved, but phase shift compensation associated with intensity modulation becomes challenging
Solution Approach 1:
The spatial light modulator is segmented into distinct phase modulation and intensity modulation parts, each with independently controllable liquid crystal cells. This segmentation allows separate control of phase and intensity, enabling phase shift compensation while maintaining the benefits of a single-substrate design.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent controls the orientation of liquid crystal molecules in the phase modulation part parallel to the polarization plane, while the intensity modulation part has liquid crystals oriented at 45 degrees offset. This parameter differentiation enables independent control of phase and intensity modulation, facilitating phase shift compensation.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration results in an optical waveform shaping device with high resolution, rectangular passbands, and the capability for ultrafast terahertz-order optical clock generation, enabling miniaturization and improved beam quality.
Implementation Method 1
a polarization separator (1) for polarizing/separating the light beam from a light source
Implementation Method 2
a 1⁄2 wavelength plate (2) for joining the polarization planes of a first lightwave and a second lightwave polarized/separated by the polarization separator (1)
Implementation Method 3
a Faraday rotator (4) for rotating in a predetermined amount the polarization planes of the first lightwave and the second lightwave having passed through the polarization beam splitter (3)
Implementation Method 4
a spatial light modulator (14) having a phase modulation part and an intensity modulation part where the light beams having passed through the polarization separation means (13) are incident, the phase modulation part and the intensity modulation part each having a plurality of liquid crystal cells
Implementation Method 5
a condensing lens (12) for condensing the plurality of light beams branched by the branching filter (11)
Implementation Method 6
a branching filter (11) for branching the light beam from the third collimator (8) into the light beams of each frequency
Data Source
AI summary
It is an object of the present invention to provide an optical waveform shaping device of high resolution.The above-mentioned problem is solved by an optical waveform shaping device (10) comprising a branching filter (11) for dividing the light beam from a light source into light beams of each frequency, a condensing part (12) for condensing a plurality of light beams divided by the branching filter (11), a polarization separation means (13) for adjusting the polarizing planes of the light beams having passed through the condensing part (12), and a spatial light modulator (14) having a phase modulation part and an intensity modulation part where the light beams having passed through the polarizing plate (13) are incident.